Lowe reportedly robbed of Series ring, trophy

CLEVELAND -- Derek Lowe is hoping to have a chance to earn a World Series ring this year with the Indians. In the meantime, the veteran pitcher will settle for recovering the ring and trophy he captured as a member of the Red Sox.

As first reported by the Fort Myers News-Press, the ring and replica trophy that Lowe earned as a part of the 2004 World Series championship Red Sox team were recently stolen from the pitcher's Florida home. A housekeeper told investigators that a burglar also took necklaces, along with women's shoes and purses.

"It was obviously a tough week," Lowe said after beating the Royals on Tuesday night. "I think any time you have something like that happen -- not being there -- and kind of having to get everything second-hand knowledge is tough. That's what law enforcement is there for. MLB obviously knows about it, so we have a lot of quality people that are investigating this thing.

"The good thing is there's nothing you can't replace. I'm lucky no family members were there. Everything that was taken you can replace. It's just a matter of going through the steps to get it done. It's not the ideal way to have a week go, but things happen and you move on."

The total value lost is estimated to be around $90,000, and the Lee County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the theft.

The 38-year-old Lowe spent eight seasons with the Red Sox, helping the team snap an 86-year World Series drought in his final year with the team. During that 2004 campaign, Lowe won all three clinching games in each round of the postseason, including going seven innings in the decisive Game 4 triumph over the Cardinals in the World Series.

Lowe -- a veteran of 16 seasons in the Major Leagues -- was acquired by the Indians in an offseason trade with the Braves and has gone 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA through his first four starts for Cleveland. On Tuesday night, Lowe picked up a win over the Royals after giving up one run over six innings of work in a 4-3 victory at Progressive Field

Indians manager Manny Acta was confident that Lowe would not be distracted by the off-field issue.

"We have talked about it," Acta said. "I don't think it's going to affect the way he's going to go about his business. The main thing is he's fine, his family is fine. It's material things -- he understands that. There were some prized possessions, but also things that he feels that, 'Hey, what are they going to get out of this? It has my name on it.'"